The challenge

Replace old diesel engines with new tech

Gold Fields were looking to retire their bank of diesel generators at the Granny Smith gold mine in Laverton. We’d been trialling gas engines over the previous 18 months. A new gas extension was being built nearby. A need plus a new and better technology, plus an accessible fuel source? It was the perfect alignment of time and opportunity.

We proposed a 22 MV gas power station, with fuel drawn from the new gas extension, powered by our new gas-fired Osprey engines. Ultimately, this meant Gold Fields could make significant cost savings while reducing their carbon footprint at the same time.

Project fact file

24
MW

Power generation

20-foot

Containers used

80,000 /
6 years

CO2 emissions reduction

7.4
million

Ounces of gold produced

300,000

Ounces of gold in 2015 alone

The solution

Reliable Osprey engines

Our ability to build a high pressure reduction facility meant we could reduce the construction time and get the new plant commissioned quickly. The new power station reduced the mine's CO2 emissions by approximately 80,000 tonnes over six years which means Gold Fields can trade carbon credits with the Emissions Reductions Fund.

Further cost savings were made through the use of our Osprey engines and 20-foot containers. The replacement of diesel generators with reliable gas-fuelled engines will help significant cost-savings for Gold Fields over the life time of the plant.

the aggreko difference

We combine a 'can do' attitude with a willingness to explore new technologies.

The impact

Fuel costs and CO2 emissions much lower than before

Our ability to build a high pressure reduction facility meant we could reduce the construction time and get the new plant commissioned quickly. The new power station reduced the mine's CO2 emissions by approximately 80,000 tonnes over six years, which meant Gold Fields could start trading carbon credits with the Emissions Reductions Fund. Further cost savings were also made through the use of our Osprey engines and 20-foot containers.

The replacement of the old diesel generators with reliable gas-fuelled engines will now produce significant cost-savings for Gold Fields over the lifetime of the plant.

“When the opportunity arose to tee gas off from the pipeline, Aggreko provided the most competitive solution combined with some innovative technical approaches which improved efficiency, saved costs and led to cleaner working practices.”